
1997
Region
Italy › Friuli-Venezia Giulia › Collio › Collio Goriziano DOC
Type
white · still
Grapes
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol
13.5%
Volume
750 mL
My last bottle, shared with the right people. Fading, no question - like a Fino that once had a confused affair with Pedro Ximénez. Oxidative and amber-hued, but still somehow fascinating. You catch glimpses of what was once apricot jam, sweet herbs speaking softly from another era. Archaeological wine drinking - you're not quite tasting what it is, more imagining what it was while catching fleeting moments of what remains. Twenty-eight years old and showing it, but not gone yet. The score is almost meaningless here. This isn't about quality in any conventional sense - it's about touching history with friends before it disappears entirely.
Well, this is properly dead. Like tasting a Fino that had a confused affair with Pedro Ximénez - oxidative in all the wrong ways, but somehow still fascinating. Tiny glimpses of what was once apricot jam, some sweet herbs whispering from the grave. It's archaeological wine drinking - you're not tasting what it is, but imagining what it was. Honestly, the score is meaningless (only here because my site demands numbers). This isn't about quality anymore, it's about touching history. Twenty-eight years old and it shows every day of it. Not awful, just... expired.
Well, this is drinking history. This particular bottle wasn't in the best shape physically - some leakage meant more oxidation than intended. Dead? Not quite. But we were definitely flirting with necromancy here.
Cognac notes, dried fruits, candied citrus, dried herbs, pastry. Tired but holding on with great acidity. Here's the thing: I don't think this was ever meant for such a long journey. Unlike Ribolla or Jakot (which are hard work young), Oslavje is super drinkable in youth. So 28 years feels like asking a sprinter to run a marathon.
Still fascinating though. Makes me curious about the other bottles in this batch - was this just bad luck or is this the ceiling? Either way, respect for making it this far.